Fort Collins City Council approves retail pot sales

Courtesy of the Fort Collins Coloradoan

Kevin Duggan

Posted:
03/05/2014 09:54:24 AM MST

Efforts to establish retail recreational marijuana stores in Fort Collins cleared a major hurdle Tuesday.
But it didn't come smoothly. A divided City Council gave initial approval to ordinances allowing retail stores and grows. Final consideration of the ordinances is expected in two weeks.
The vote, with council members Gerry Horak, Lisa Poppaw, Bob Overbeck and Ross Cunniff in support, came after a long and sometimes emotional debate on the issue.
Council members opposing the stores said more time is needed to study the impact of recreational marijuana on other communities.
Council members supporting the stores said they would be legitimate businesses that could be carefully regulated.
The city has been dealing with marijuana issues for years, Poppaw said. It will make every effort to protect the community's youths by enforcing its regulations, she said.
"I think it's time we start moving forward with this," she said.
City staff had recommended extending a current ban on retail stores two years.
Of particular concern is the possibility of increased crime related to the stores because of their cash-only business model and the potential for marijuana from Colorado spreading to other states, said Police Chief John Hutto.
Another concern is how the city's image as being a family-friendly college town would be affected by allowing retail marijuana, said City Manager Darin Atteberry.
Councilmember Gino Campana said a delay in allowing stores to get more information would do no harm.

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"I just don't see the urgency; I would like to see more data," he said.
Marijuana advocates told the council the will of voters, who in 2012 approved an amendment to the state constitution that legalized possession of marijuana for recreational use, should be respected.
Desmond Coronado, a CSU grad student, said the city could control how marijuana is distributed in the community by developing solid rules for stores to follow.
"I urge you to not kick the can down the road," he said. "Take initiative and lead by example."